Ingrid is my name.
I was going to marry Nick. I remember shaking my hands while adjusting the veil as I stood in the bridal room. Beside me stood my father, who radiated confidence and determination.
With a voice full of emotion, he said, “Ingrid, you look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I forced a smile and said. My heart was racing. Not the way a bride should love her husband, anyway. I didn’t love Nick. However, once I agreed to it, there was no going back.
The weight of two hundred pairs of eyes was on my father and me as he walked me down the aisle. The church was full of friends of both families and business contacts.
As I stood at the altar, my gaze was fixed on Nick who was dapper in a tuxedo. But his eyes were far away and I couldn’t help but notice his mouth tightening.
Just as we got to the front, Nick abruptly left the chapel without saying anything, leaving me in stunned silence.
At that moment whispers and sighs flooded the crowd. Tears welled up in my eyes.
Disappointment and humiliation washed over me. What was I supposed to do now?
The doors of the church opened with a tremendous crash before I could even comprehend what was happening. A burly bearded man walked in and met my gaze. My heart skipped a beat as he walked right up to me and got down on one knee in front of everyone.
His voice was sharp and strong as he said, “Will you marry me?” The world seemed to spin around me as the crowd gasped.
“That’s not possible,” I stumbled, shedding tears.
“I thought you were dead.
“You can’t marry him,” my father shouted, his voice shaking with irritation and uncertainty.
“Because it’s…”
“…Michael, my high school sweetheart,” I said, my voice wavering. Memories of our secret meetings, preparations for the wedding, and my anxiety that he had done it came back.
Michael’s voice was full of desire as he looked straight into my eyes. “I’ve always loved you, Ingrid. Not even for a split second. Even though I wanted to come back for you, your father.”
“He banned our relationship,” I cut him off, my heart aching at the memory. “He warned that you would ruin my future and that you would be no match for me. Then your mother told me that you had died. I was inconsolable. How could she do this?”
Michael looked serious for a moment. “She had no choice. Your father swore he would destroy me, Ingrid, if I married you. He threatened to take everything from my family if I didn’t disappear, so he bought my mother to tell you I was dead.” “
Of course, Michael was telling the truth. My father was a well-known lawyer with many contacts, so it was not difficult for him to turn the whole town against him.
I shook my head and tried to figure it all out. “I had no idea how I would survive without you. But my father was adamant. He insisted that I marry Nick, the son of his friend and business partner.”
To my amazement, Nick took a step forward.
“I never meant to mislead you, Ingrid. It was the truth when I told you what was going on and that I couldn’t tell my father. You were the only one I could trust in my desperate situation.”
I nodded, remembering our conversation in the yard the night Nick came out as gay.
“Since a sham marriage seemed like the best option for both of us, I agreed.
We believed we could protect each other from our fathers’ demands.’
Nick turned to face me, then back to Michael. “But everything changed when Michael connected with me. I realized that you deserve to be with the one you truly love. That’s why I left today.”
Michael grabbed my hands and made up his mind. “I have to come back for you, Ingrid. I would never let you marry another.”
I knew I had to stop it when my mother revealed you were getting married.”
I looked at him in shock. “How could you come back? I believed you were powerless against my father and owned nothing.”
Michael smiled slightly. “After moving to Switzerland, I started an IT business. It was difficult at first, but the business took off. My financial situation improved.”
I was a mix of emotions, amazed and relieved at the same time. “You’ve been fighting all this time to come back to me?”
Michael nodded, his voice breaking. “Ingrid, I never gave up on us. Not even for a second.
When the reality of the situation set in, I experienced a wave of hope. My heart pounded and I said, “Finally we can be together.”
Nick gave us a small smile. “You two deserve it. And I’m glad I could help make it happen.”
Michael’s remarks hit me like a bolt of lightning. “Ingrid, I can help us now. I am not afraid of your father’s power because I am rich and well-connected as well,” he remarked.
I turned to my father, tears running down my face and my voice shaking with rage and betrayal. “How could you lie to me like that?”
My dad had pitiful eyes and his face was pale. He staggered, “I only wanted the best for you.”
“I will never forgive you!” My heart ached with every sentence I shouted. A rift opened between us as a result of a grave betrayal. Michael was the one who rose from the dead for me, so I turned to him.
I told him about my failed attempt at a fake marriage as I pushed him. “You should know, Michael, that Nick and I only did this to keep him safe and to get away from father’s authority. We were never meant to be.”
With love and determination in his eyes, Michael held my face in his hands. “I am aware.
Nick explained everything to me. Now that everything is paid for, if you’re ready, we can get married,” he said in a firm, soothing voice.
Naturally, I was prepared. All I ever wanted or dreamed of was being with Michael. I said, “Yes, yes, I will marry you,” and hugged him tightly.
My father stepped forward, his tone more serious. “You will not marry for my money.
“Send me the bill,” Michael said, looking directly at my father. There wasn’t even a break.
We walked together to the altar holding hands.
Surprise and interest were mixed in the guests’ expressions as they whispered. I was surprised that it ended up happening. It would only take a few minutes for Michael and I to declare our eternal love and escape from the bonds of our father’s fortress.
The priest gave us a nervous smile and began to speak, clearly startled by the sudden turn of events. I had a rush of calm as he spoke. What started as a nightmare began to take on a beautiful quality.
It was a special ceremony. The world outside the chapel seemed to disappear as we exchanged vows and Michael’s hands were warm in mine.
“I swear to love you, Ingrid Peterson, forever and ever. Will you grant me the privilege of being my wife?” Michael spoke and his eyes warmed mine.
“Yes, I will marry you,” I said, my heart pounding like a mad bird.
The guests cheered when the priest finally pronounced us husband and wife. I never heard anything so cheerful as music.
Michael flew to Europe with me immediately after the wedding. Our beautiful apartment is located in a charming town surrounded by sparkling rivers and rolling hills. It was everything we imagined in our high school dreams and now it was our reality.
One morning Michael turned to me as we were enjoying coffee on the balcony watching the sunrise. Quietly: “Do you ever regret it?” he asked.
I gave him a hearty look. “Not for a moment,” I replied. “I’m supposed to be here with you.”
Life was ours, even if it wasn’t ideal. Together we created a life full of opportunity and desire. While Michael’s business grew, I found happiness in writing, a hobby I had always enjoyed but never explored. We felt that as a team we could do anything and our future looked bright.
Despite my happiness, my father’s shadow hovered over my heart. My choice offended him and we didn’t speak after that. Even though it hurt to be silent together, I knew it was necessary for my peace.
My mother kept me informed about the family through her loving and informative letters. It was a small consolation that she understood my decision.
The pain of his father’s betrayal gradually subsided over the years. One day I received a letter from him unexpectedly. It was an expression of regret and a plea for forgiveness.
Michael looked at me with concern in his eyes as I read the letter. Quietly, “What does it say?” he asked.
“It’s from my father,” I quivered in my voice. “He expresses regret. His wish is to mend our friendship.”
Michael squeezed me tightly. “What do you want to do?”
I felt the weight of my father’s words and took a deep breath. “I believe I should give him a chance. For both of our sakes.”
We eventually began to mend our relationship, although it took some time. Although it wasn’t easy and it will never be the same, it was a start. What seemed like a disaster ended up being my greatest gift.
I got my life back, met my true love, and developed self-defense. Together, Michael and I overcame every obstacle and our love only grew stronger. We have always faced challenges together, and as we looked to the future, I knew we would do it again.
As Ingrid and Michael settle into their new life together, they find comfort in each other’s company and navigate the complexities of love and family. Their relationship, formed by years of separation and misunderstanding, grew into a deep and unwavering bond. Every day was a reminder of the love they fought for and the sacrifices they made to be together.
Ingrid embraced her passion for writing and found fulfillment in expressing her thoughts and experiences. With Michael’s support, she pursued her dreams while he prospered in his burgeoning IT business. Together, they built a rich life with shared aspirations and mutual respect, feeling empowered to face whatever challenges came their way.
Despite the lingering hurt of her father’s betrayal, Ingrid has learned to forgive. Gradually reconnecting with her father brought a sense of closure, allowing her to reclaim some of her past while embracing her future. This journey of healing reminded her that love in all its forms can overcome misunderstandings and lead to growth.
Looking ahead, Ingrid and Michael felt a renewed sense of hope and excitement for what lay ahead. They knew their love story was just beginning and together they would continue to create a life full of joy, adventure, and unwavering support. Through trials and triumphs, they proved that true love can overcome any obstacle, and their future together promised to be as bright as the sunrise they admired from their balcony every morning.